CHAPTER II

"L-lieah, s-si Zayn...." it's Zayn's mother.

Bigla akong napatayo at nagulat dahil minsan lang ako tawagan ng mama ni Zayn, and it made worse by the fact na parang may nangyaring masama kay Zayn.

It prompted me to flee the house and rush to their house.

Mabuti na lang at marunong ako magdrive ng kotse kundi mahihirapan pa ako maghanap ng taxi ngayong madaling araw.

I click the doorbell to their house and I didn't expect na naka-abang na pala ang mama ni Zayn malapit sa pinto.

"Nako, mabuti at nandito ka na. Si Zayn kasi ayaw matahimik, nagwawala."

Sobrang pag-aalala ang naramdaman ko nang narinig ko ang sinabi ni tita.

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang rason, may nangyari bang masama?

I heard a loud scream coming from him that made me rushed to his room.

Before I entered his room, the cracking sound of broken glass stop and it became silence all of a sudden.

I slowly and silently entered his room and there, I saw him laying on the ground.

I run towards him and held his hand.

The room is so messy, the pillows and blanket are everywhere, nagkalat ang mga bote ng alak, and Zayn is so destroyed right now.

Punong-puno ng dugo ang kan'yang kamay and I think dahil ito sa pagsuntok sa pader.

"Hey baby, I'm here na." I carresed his hair.

He slowly opened his teary eyes and he looks at me na parang manika na gusto nya ay nasa tabi n'ya lang.

He hugged me tightly, "You're here, please don't leave me."

He cried to my shoulder and I just pat his back because I don't know what to do.

"I won't leave you, okay? I won't."

Humiwalay s'ya sa pagkakayakap and pout.

"Promise?"

I smiled at him and chuckled because he's so cute doing that pout thing.

"Promise. C'mon stand up, mukha ka ng aswang d'yan." I helped him stand-up even though he's so heavy.

"You won't leave me?" he asked again.

This is his attitude whenever he's drunk, he always repeat his questions all over again.

"You won't leave me." And now that is not a question, but a command.

I just smiled at him and put him on the bed.

"Baby, promise me that you won't leave me."

I'm curious as to why he asked me this question. Sa pagkakaalam ko, magkaayos pa kami sa last naming pagkikita and biglaan na lang ang pagdadrama n'ya na ganito.

I stared at him and he stared at me. He's like a child begging for candy.

"You will leave me."

I let out a big sigh.

Tinabihan ko s'ya sa higaan kahit amoy alak s'ya.

"I promise not to leave you, I will stay by your side because I love you, okay? So I want you to do the same thing but first, sleep ka muna. You look tired na din." I said as I kissed him on his forehead.

He closed his eyes and smiled.

"Hmm okay..."

A minite passed and his totally asleep. I started cleaning his room and clean his body.

Nagdadalawang-isip ako if should I clean the uhmm you know, the down thing. Naka-ihi din kasi s'ya.

But I can't, I respect him and I don't want to sexualize him kahit hindi naman 'yon 'yong rason ko.

And so I told it to his parents and she suggested na s'ya na daw bahala.

"Nako pasensya na sa abala iha, ayaw n'ya kasi huminahon kanina kahit anong pigil ko."

"Wala pong problema, buti nga po sinabi n'yo sa akin kaagad, baka may nangyaring masama pa kay Zayn." I replied.

I was so tired after I came back home so I didn't notice na nakatulog na lang ako after ko humiga ng kama.

---

It's already 11:00 in the morning noong nagising ako. Luckily, it's weekend na so wala pa kaming pasok.

I started doing my morning routine from cleaning my room to taking a bath.

I checked my phone and nakita ko ang 5 missed calls at lahat 'yon ay galing kay Zayn.

I called him and just on the second ring, he answered it.

"Hey, I'm sorry kagigising ko lang." I said as soon as he answered my call.

"That's okay, baby. Btw, did something happened kanina? Sabi ni mama nagpunta ka daw dito ng mga alas tres."

I think I just have to lie na lang kasi if nalaman n'ya 'yong totoo, he won't stop saying sorry.

"Uhmm yeah, nagpunta ako d'yan kagabi. Pero don't worry, umalis naman ako kaagad after kita patulugin." I lied.

"I'm sorry sa abala, baby. I promise hindi ko na uulitin."

Eto nanaman s'ya sa kan'yang mga sorries and promises.

By the way, I remembered something I really wanted to ask him.

"Bakit ka nga pala nag-lasing kagabi? Is there any problem ba? You can tell me."

Usually, sinasabi n'ya sa akin kung may bumubulabog sa kan'yang isipan, and i'm somewhat skeptical sa mga galaw n'ya kagabi.

He's not that kind of guy na nag-mamakaawang hindi s'ya iwan ng walang dahilan, and I can't see reasons why.

A moment of silence filled my ears before he answered.

"Bumalik na pala yung kababata mo?" he coldly asked.

I gasped. How did he know?

Did he--?

Right, sa restaurant ko una nakita si Wayne, and there's 70% chance na makakasalubong din ito ni Zayn.

Why didn't I think of it in the first place?

Am I that dumb?

"Uhmm y-yeah, I just saw him kagabi sa restaurant na pinuntahan natin. Nakita mo din s'ya?" I don't have reasons to lie na because he already knew it kaya I just said the truth.

Based on the tone of Zayn's voice, I know he's kinda mad and maybe because of jealousy.

But I want to assure him that he should not be jealous kasi first of all, s'ya na ang present ko and isa pa, Wayne was just my childhood friend. No romantic feelings at all.

"Oo, nagkaharap kami. Please, don't go near him."

"Don't you have trust in me?" I asked.

If he have trust in me, why should he be jealous, right?

"I trust you, but that man don't. Based on his looks, his untrustable."

"Baby, you can't just judge a person by its look!" I exclaimed.

Seconds later before he talk, maybe napag-isip isip n'ya din na may mali s'ya kahit papano.

"I'm sorry baby." he said softly.

I sighed. I love Zayn, pero minsan sumosobra na s'ya. Lagi na lang ako ang umiintindi, pero mahal ko eh, I can't leave him dahil lang doon.

"It's okay baby." I said surely.

"May gagawin ka ba ngayon? It's still our monthsary. Want to go to the amusement park?"

I smiled. Alam n'ya talaga paano ako suyuin.

"Hmm ayaw ko nga." I jokingly said.

"Ayaw mo? Edi sige 'wag na lang."

I chuckled to what he said. Such a childish baby.

"Sige na nga."

My cheeks turn red because of having romantic excitement.

Let's go.

WAYNE'S POV

WAYNE'S POV

It's good to be be back here.

It's been a long time simula nung nakatapak ako dito sa Pilipinas.

I missed the polluted air, the nature, and also the people, especially the most important girl in my life, my mom.

"Mamaaaa" I shouted as soon as I saw my mother with a banner on her hands saying "WELCOME BACK WAYNE!!"

I hugged her tight when I get closer to her and say I miss you repeatedly.

I pulled apart first then stared at her.

"Ma, tumaba ka yata." I jokingly said.

"Syempre, marami pagkain dito." then she chuckled.

"Saktong-sakto, namiss ko luto mo." I then caress my stomach.

"Tara na, marami akong niluto para sa'yo." Then he guided me to the car.

There's so much changes here in the philippines. And I lovingly witnessing those changes in the environment.

Pagdating namin sa bahay, naka-abang na ang aking mga pinsan, at ang mga kapatid ng parents ko.

They all happy to see me again, based on their expression.

They shouted, "Welcome Back Wayne!"

It made my eyes teary because I didn't expect na marami pang tao ang nagmamahal sa akin.

But I was looking for this specific person that I misses so much, but she wasn't here. I missed Lily so much, I wish to see her here but she's nowhere to be find.

Binalewala ko na lang and continue the celebration with my family and relatives.

The day went well, but still, I'm very eager to see Lily tonight.

I know bigla na lang ako umalis ng walang paalam, and that's unforgiveable. But I have reason, and I hope that someday, I will be able to tell her that reason.

It's already 9:02 in the evening and I was supposed to sleep but one notification distract me mula sa pagkakaidlip.

'@lieahsocute posted a new story'

Lieah didn't know that I am stalking her. Lagi akong naka-abang on where she goes at kung sino kasama n'ya.

And I know that she has a boyfriend. I was kinda sad since mahal ko si Lieah, and that never change.

The picture says she's on her way to a restaurant right now with a man named Zayn, he's boyfriend. I took advantage of it and fortunately, I know where it is.

10 minutes of driving 'til I finally reached my destination.

Sa labas pa lang, nakikita ko na si Zayn at si Lieah na nag-uusap. They look so happy with each other, and I have no plan to ruin their relationship.

I just want to rekindled our friendship like when we're just a kid.

I just want to seek forgiveness and to tell my story why I left.

When I notice Zayn leaving, I immediately entered the restaurant and act like I didn't know they are here.

She's on her way on the bathroom and so I walk fast para maunahan s'ya and to act like makakasalubong ko s'ya.

Luckily it was successful.

"Lieah!?" I shockingly said.

Mas maganda s'ya sa personal at malapitan. She looks very matured na compared sa dati. She changed a lot, but in a good way.

I think she is surpriesed to see me again "W-wayne!!"

I expected her to hugged me as soon as she sees me, I thought she was happy to see me again, but I think she didn't.

While she's not yet recovered from shock, I hugger her tighly.

Oh God, how I missed this woman?

"Lieah, ikaw ba talaga 'yan?" I excitedly said.

"Y-yeah, h-hi." she stuttered while talking.

"How are you? C'mon samahan mo muna ako, let's eat. My treat." I suggested kahit na alam kong kasama n'ya boyfriend n'ya.

I noticed how he hold her bag tight.

I thought she will accept my offer or she will ask me to join their date at para na din ipakilala ako, but she did the other thing.

"U-uhm I-i'm with my boyfriend kasi, and w-we have a date. Maybe nextime na lang, pwede?" She forced to smile at me even tho halatang medyo kinakabahan s'ya.

Suddenly, my excited face and bright smile morphed into an emotionless expression.

"Ah, right. It's been three years na din, I'm sorry." then I step back and totally left.

It's kinda sad thinking that she still didn't forgive me.

I thought sapat na yung 6 months letting her to think before I left.

Pero hindi pa pala.

But again, I just want fix 'yong gulo na ako mismo ang gumawa.

I need to find ways on how to be closer with her.

Only to remember na I still have her number on my phone. I'm not sure kung ito pa din ang gamit n'yang number until now.

Ngayon lang ako naglakas-loob na i-message n'ya. I think this is the perfect time para simulan ang nga plano ko.

And so I texted her.

I first introduce myself by the nickname we gave each other when we were just kids.

"Hey Lily, it's me, your Jj"

Oh God, I miss calling her Lily.

A minutes passed and I didn't notice that I am smiling the whole time kahit na wala pa din akong natatanggap na reply mula sa kan'ya.

"I miss you."

Three words. Just three words that I really wanted to say to her. Pero kung gaano kahirap ipasok ang sinulid sa butas na karayom, ganoon din kahirap sabihin ang mga katagang iyon.

It's been almost 15 minutes na pero wala pa ding reply. I guess nag-iba na s'ya ng number.

Tinignan ko ang orasan and notice na it's already midnight na.

I want to message her for one last time, maybe baka tulog na din s'ya that's why hindi n'ya ako mareply-an.

"I thing you're asleep na. Goodnight, don't let the bedbug bites you." I said before going to sleep.

---

Nagising ako mula sa ingay sa baba ng bahay.

Binalewala ko na lang muna at ginawa ang morning daily routine ko.

It's a bit uncomfortable kasi halos three years ako sa ibang bansa at ngayon ay andito nanaman ako sa pilipinas.

After ko maligo, bumaba na ako. I found out that the noise came from my mother at mga tita ko na nagtatawanan.

"Good morning Mom, good morning aunt." I then kissed my mom in the cheeks at dumeretso sa kitchen.

"Hi yaya, may naluto na po bang ulam?"

It's already 11:12 in the morning so I expected that there's food na for the lunch.

"Ay wala pa po sir, pero may tira pa naman kaninang umaga. Ipainit ko ba sir?"

I checked what was their food kanina and it's just hotdog and ham.

It's okay na din, basta hindi ako malipasan ng gutom.

After I ate, nagpaalam muna ako kay mama para gumala ulit.

"Ma, labas lang muna ako."

She looks at me and smiled.

"Sure son, may kasama ka ba? Isama mo na 'tong si yaya, baka maligaw ka kasi." she said with a worried expression planted on her face.

"It's fine Ma, d'yan lang naman ako sa malapit." I assure her that it's fine by patting ger shoulder.

"You sure?"

"Yeah Ma, I will be fine." I kissed her on the forehead.

"Hmm okay."

After she agreed, I rushed to my car and drove away, baka bawiin n'ya pa kasi.

It's happy that I get to see again 'yong mga places na lagi naming pinupuntahan ni Lieah.

I stopped at the park and reminisced the time when we were happy.

It feels nostalgic and awkward na alalahanin ang mga memories namin and to look kung ano na nangyari sa amin ngayon.

It feels so unreal. From childhood bestfriends to just strangers.

Napansin ko ang nagtitinda ng ice cream sa gilid and remember na s'ya pa din 'yong dating ice cream vendor na pinagbibilihan namin ni Lieah noon.

I excitedly run towards him and shouted.

"Manong kuya!" I smiled at him.

He looks so confused, maybe he can't remember me na.

I stopped infront of him and intoduce myself.

"Manong kuya!! Ako 'to si winwin, hindi n'yo na ba ako naalala?" I acted like I'm sad but I'm not mad at all naman since marami na talagang nagbago sa akin especially my physical features.

He looks at me firmly first then smiled.

"Winwin? Ikaw nga ba talaga iyan?" he asked.

"Opo, akong-ako."

He moves closer to me then hugged me.

"Nako ang laki-laki mo na anak ah, lalaking-lalaki na." he jokingly said.

We laughed together.

"Syempre naman, marami na ngang babae nanliligaw sa akin eh."

I noticed how his happy face turned into a curious expression.

"Nga pala anak, nasaan na yung lagi mong kasama na bata noon? Si Lieah "

The question he asked made my happy expression to sad one.

I don't know what to say, should I tell the truth? But I can't.

"Uhmm n-nagpunta lang po sa malayo." I then force myself to laughed.

Suddenly, the mood I felt right now became bad and I felt like I'm not into a mood to talk now.

"Sige Manong kuya, alis na ako. May pupuntahan pa po ako." paalam ko.

"Lika muna dito, kain ka muna ng paninda ko. Libre ko naman." aya n'ya sa akin.

As much as I want to stay, I can't.

"Next time na lang po, importante po kasi." I lied.

I don't have any important meetings right now but that's the only reason I can say para makaalis dito.

"Ah, sige anak, ingat ka."

I waved a goodbye then left.

I drove away and look around when I noticed an amusement park placed near the park.

I then entered the anusement park 'cause I want to refresh and also to experience being a child again.

I rode different rides and it felt so happy to be able to get into this.

When I got tired, I went to the nearest booth and buys water.

Medyo nakakapagod din pala, pero masaya naman. Siguro mas masaya kapag may kasama ka. I hope one day, maidala ko din si Lieah dito.

~Ring•Ring•Ring~

A sound of ring came out from my phone. It's my mom who's calling.

I let out a big sighed. Maybe she's checking if I'm okay.

"Hi mom." I said.

"Hey, how are you? Nasaan ka?"

See? She worries so much.

"Ma, I'm fine, okay? Narito lang ako sa amusement--"

Before I finished my sentence, one person in particular bumped me from the back.

I checked who it was and shocked from knowing who it is.

"Lily?!"